LetLetLet ~ Warplanes

Let Let Let - Warplanes => Ground Forces => Topic started by: Second Air Force on May 02, 2017, 11:56:57 PM

Title: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on May 02, 2017, 11:56:57 PM
Here's a project I have had in storage since the early 1990s. Back then we drove mostly air-cooled VWs for daily transportation and I began to research the fascinating early days of the Volkswagen family. With that in mind I bought a couple of 1/16 scale Kafer kits and later on picked up two Kubels from Tamiya to supplement my plans.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF119/IMG_4274_zps6eowyjx5.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF119/IMG_4274_zps6eowyjx5.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF119/IMG_4275_zpsu1kits46.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF119/IMG_4275_zpsu1kits46.jpg.html)

Originally I started to back-date the early fifties sedan in the Revell kit to the wartime configuration, and the Tamiya drivetrain parts were later added in to sweeten the brew:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF119/IMG_4273_zpsddxhslqb.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF119/IMG_4273_zpsddxhslqb.jpg.html)

Here are a few of the resin parts I cast twenty years ago and also the upgraded wheelsets that I modified from the Tamiya pieces with my own machined hubs. Also you can see the mostly scratchbuilt front trunk and body interior sections:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF119/IMG_4272_zpsrsc3rfaw.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF119/IMG_4272_zpsrsc3rfaw.jpg.html)

And a quick photo of the body after most of the conversion back to a 1942 Typ 82 configuration:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF119/IMG_4271_zpsyvmhal9m.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF119/IMG_4271_zpsyvmhal9m.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on May 03, 2017, 06:06:36 PM
Great!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on May 03, 2017, 06:32:54 PM
This is great and popular :-ok
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on May 03, 2017, 10:49:01 PM
Thanks, my friends!

Recently I've become very interested in finding another old VW (1:1 scale) to restore before I grow too old to enjoy a project. I'm actively looking for something between late 1940s and 1957......So, I've gotten all my old Volkswagen history and reference books out of storage and felt it was the right time to work on this model while I search for a real Beetle!

This evening the inner rims were finally fabricated. The Revell kit has some rather poor parts for the "back" halves of the wheels so I took the front halves and machined the centers out of them. By doing this the proper dish of the wheels will be visible under the car and the brake drums and backing plate will have the proper offset:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF121/IMG_4287_zpsmcsbmm3j.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF121/IMG_4287_zpsmcsbmm3j.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF121/IMG_4288_zpspbohbngn.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF121/IMG_4288_zpspbohbngn.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF121/IMG_4289_zpseyqrufgg.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF121/IMG_4289_zpseyqrufgg.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on May 07, 2017, 03:18:50 AM
Have you ever started up a project that has been on hold for a while? Each time I study this one I remember what I was thinking during the earlier attempt, even though the first time was twenty years ago.......! Tonight I worked on the seat frames a little, using the metal framework I scratchbuilt long ago. The rear seat and "luggage" tray were already in basic form and only required some extra fitting:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF123/IMG_4291_zpsih9mgnfn.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF123/IMG_4291_zpsih9mgnfn.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on May 07, 2017, 05:50:04 AM
Hahaha- have I ever start project and keep it on hold? I can feel entire big web site with such projects  :-wall :-wall :-wall
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on May 07, 2017, 01:13:49 PM
Hahaha- have I ever start project and keep it on hold? I can feel entire big web site with such projects  :-wall :-wall :-wall

Me too...
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on May 07, 2017, 02:38:42 PM
Ha! We three are among many, I reckon!!!!!

The really bad thing about this build coming back from the closet is that it will probably become expensive--I've found a real sedan that I would dearly like to buy and start working on........I have come to the conclusion that physically I only have time enough for one restoration project left to me and the time to enjoy it when it is completed, so it's time to find a Beetle soon. I wanted a Split-window, but it looks like an Oval (1956) is more in my affordability range.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on May 29, 2017, 12:51:18 AM
A small bit of work on the Beetle, firstly I was able to roughly start the seat frames and begin fitting the backs to the lowers, then a fit-check into the car:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF124/IMG_4302_zps7wnf7lga.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF124/IMG_4302_zps7wnf7lga.jpg.html)

Next was time to start working on the engine and transaxle from the Tamiya Kubelwagen. These parts are excellent and really represent the real thing well. Best part was that I don't have to get my hands as dirty working on this plastic one, unlike the 1/1 scale item! The first photo shows that some adapting has to be done to change the cooling fan shroud to the shape of the sedan shroud.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF124/IMG_4303_zps5k5fuuhl.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF124/IMG_4303_zps5k5fuuhl.jpg.html)

Then, some paint to get started!
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF124/IMG_4304_zpsd0d7rmrc.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF124/IMG_4304_zpsd0d7rmrc.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on May 29, 2017, 06:25:52 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on May 29, 2017, 10:36:21 PM
Thanks, my friend!

This project has really "lit my fire" to find another real Beetle to restore--know of any late forties or early fifties VWs for sale? (I missed out on a nice project not far from my home two weeks ago.....)
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on July 20, 2017, 03:01:16 AM
I'll bet you all thought that I had stopped altogether, but I haven't...... here is the primary assembly of the VW powerplant that will eventually go into this Kafer:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF130/IMG_4348_zpsgzxznmvp.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF130/IMG_4348_zpsgzxznmvp.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on July 25, 2017, 01:43:21 AM
Well, I've done it now--I'm moving on to a 1/1 scale VW project to go along with this smaller one.......we've finally found a very early 1956 sedan and the best part of it is that it is a stripped-down Standard version. It'll be a month or so until we actually take possession, and then the restoration can begin!
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF132/IMG_5632_zpsp6twxcnn.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF132/IMG_5632_zpsp6twxcnn.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on July 25, 2017, 05:01:50 AM
Restorer in blood :))
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on July 25, 2017, 12:17:10 PM
Yes. We drove air cooled VWs for many years but eventually had to sell everything. Only now, 14 years later, I have been bitten by the "Bug" once again. This will take a while to restore, but it has one great feature--no rust! Most of the old VWs around here are all rusted out and beaten up from years of use but this one is very, very solid and will be easy to get back to good condition. An added plus is that it still has the original engine in it. I don't know of its condition, but hope I can rebuild it.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on August 07, 2017, 01:19:06 AM
Back to the 1/16 version, I've substantially completed the "power egg" except for wiring the distributor, generator and starter. Just for fun it was installed temporarily into the chassis for a final fit-check and now it's time to move on to the next phase of the project.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF134/IMG_4384_zpsyughk3ff.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF134/IMG_4384_zpsyughk3ff.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF134/IMG_4385_zpsf5tazhtf.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF134/IMG_4385_zpsf5tazhtf.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on August 07, 2017, 06:06:06 AM
Look like real :))
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on August 07, 2017, 11:45:50 AM
Tamiya makes it easy!!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on August 07, 2017, 04:46:51 PM
looks fantastic mate !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on August 08, 2017, 03:06:13 AM
Thanks, mates.

Now I will start on some of the interior fittings, starting with the footboards that were so common on WWII VWs.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on August 10, 2017, 06:34:52 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on August 11, 2017, 01:05:43 AM
Thank you!

I'm not able to devote a lot of time to this right now as I am converting a woodworking shop space into a new home for the 1/1 Beetle. Still I found time to start the footboards using the Tamiya Kubel parts as a basic pattern and photos of KdF Wagens in my vast VW book collection.....
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF135/IMG_4386_zpsu5xetyix.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF135/IMG_4386_zpsu5xetyix.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on August 12, 2017, 08:52:54 AM
:-ok
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on August 13, 2017, 03:18:57 PM
Thank you!

The seats are properly modified now (removed the pleats on the bottom cushion and made new "legs") and so are the footboards:
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on August 13, 2017, 03:47:03 PM
 :-ok :-ok
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on August 14, 2017, 12:58:00 AM
Still more Evergreen used to make the stiffeners around the back windows. The kit doesn't mold these because there is headliner fabric on the Deluxe civilian car. This military version had no headliner back here and the stiffeners show up easily. Next was to add the clamps and wing nuts for the seat adjusters and to add some inner detail under each seat. Then, it was finally primer day for the main body, with some small corrections still required.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on August 14, 2017, 08:22:30 AM
Waouw ...
Stunning Work!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on August 15, 2017, 11:16:44 AM
Superb work ! real pleasure to watch this progress
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on August 15, 2017, 11:35:01 AM
Thanks, friends!

Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on August 24, 2017, 01:33:51 AM
Not enough time really to work on this, but the front hood prop rod has been fabricated. Originally I intended to make the prop fold just like the original does but I finally decided to simply fix the rod and I'll just remove it to close the hood.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on August 24, 2017, 06:33:02 AM
:-ok
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on August 26, 2017, 10:42:07 AM
Just enjoy and relay ;)
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on August 26, 2017, 01:31:22 PM
A confession--I have only worked on this one lately when I cannot sleep. I'll wake up and work on the little car for a few minutes and then I can go back to bed till morning. It's been working, I still get a night's sleep and the car is making some forward movement!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on August 26, 2017, 08:48:07 PM
Same method for me... Frequently...
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on August 27, 2017, 03:11:07 PM
Yes, and when I awake sometimes it is Rebecca, our Dachshund-mix that causes it--she feels a need to stand on the doorstep and scan the property for intruders.......

Progress on the KdF Wagen is going well enough that I can now start to adjust the suspension system. As you know from the beginning of this thread, I'm building a Typ 82e which was the standard Beetle body on the Kubelwagen raised chassis. Getting the rear wheel correctly positioned in the wheelwell is easy since I've used entirely Tamiya Kubel components. The front axle is a mix of Revell axle beam and some Tamiya parts. This photo shows the buildup of the raised spindle on the left. I'm satisfied now with this one and next I'll begin the right one.

Also, notice the small Evergreen strip on the door post. The semaphores on the car I'm building were removed from the door posts and a strip of metal filled the opening. Later the Wehrmacht decided to add turn signals but mounted them on the upper door hinges.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on August 27, 2017, 08:25:29 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on September 27, 2017, 01:06:37 AM
Small steps forward on this one. We've gotten back from our annual vacation trip and it is time I do something, even if it is only to paint the back halves of the wheels and brake assemblies. Once this is dry I can paint the front faces of the rims and then it will be time to get the ride height and wheelbase spacings figured out.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on September 27, 2017, 06:20:35 AM
 :-ok
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on September 28, 2017, 12:44:51 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on October 05, 2017, 07:26:17 PM
looks good, nice progress mate
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on October 08, 2017, 04:55:58 AM
The left wheels are now in proper position after some small adjustments. I've found it wasn't easy getting the left rear located properly in the wheel opening, especially since everything is in three dimensions! Once satisfied with the left rear I was able to mount the right rear much easier!

Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on October 08, 2017, 05:44:56 AM
Front wheels, they can be adjusted in direction or fixed?
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on October 08, 2017, 02:41:09 PM
I think the kit designed them for turning left and right but I glued the assemblies together for strength. The kingpins had to be modified with drilled holes to raise the car to Kubelwagen height and that really weakened the kingpins. When I built that front axle (twenty years ago) I was still taking models to competitions and I wanted to make sure everything was sturdy for when the car traveled.

 As an aside--I once shipped a Nascar model to a friend of mine in Australia and he entered it in the Australian IPMS Nationals for me. I boxed it up in foam, shipped it via the Post both ways and it suffered NO damage!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on October 09, 2017, 06:02:23 AM
:-ok
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on October 12, 2017, 01:18:41 AM
Step by step, finally this little Bug will sit on four wheels when it's done!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on October 12, 2017, 06:16:04 AM
Look the same as in repair shop :))
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on October 12, 2017, 08:04:15 AM
Yes, 1/1 scale is also on jacks right now! I'm collecting some hard-to-find parts for the full-size car right now, especially electrical switches that are peculiar to the Standard Beetle. The Standard was never imported officially into the U.S. so I'm sourcing the rarer parts from all over!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on October 14, 2017, 01:07:45 AM
I'm quite lazy and should start a different thread for the full-sized car, but here you see I've begun to remove the horrible white respray. Fortunately for me I think the interior can be stripped of the white and the original Jupiter Grey can be polished. The goal is to keep as much original paint on the interior surfaces as I can and repaint the exterior only.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on October 14, 2017, 03:10:21 AM
And on the 1/16 version, the first painting has begun. The wheels are essentially complete now and I also sprayed part of the trunk and dashboard so I can start scratchbuilding the speedometer and wiring harness that sits behind the dash.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on October 14, 2017, 05:06:36 AM
:-ok
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on October 16, 2017, 07:58:02 PM
nice !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on November 04, 2017, 08:08:46 PM
Thanks!

Sorry to take so long for an update. I've decided to continue on a "modular" concept with this build, so the trunk is going to be more-or-less completed first. After painting the entire inside of the trunk it was time to fit the liner to the trunk. This was a two-piece cardboard material that was dropped on top of the metal floor as a protector. Photos show this still in use on the early military Beetles so I fabricated one out of typing paper. After proper fitting it was painted black and glued in place. Also, though it is almost invisible, I've completed the speedometer and switches installation and added the wiring.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on November 04, 2017, 08:14:59 PM
I like dark color on inside elements :-ok
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on November 04, 2017, 09:18:52 PM
Schwartzgrau for Panzers is the color I'm using. When deciding on a car to build I fell on one very early vehicle that is painted Panzer-grey rather than the later desert tan. Most of the restored 1/1 scale cars are in tan and I can't ever go with the popular variant..... Also it looks like most of the KdF bodied military cars that Porsche developed in experimental form were painted in Schwartzgrau and I almost decided to do a four-wheel drive Kommandeurwagen at one point. By then I was very happy to do the car in the grey scheme.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on November 05, 2017, 09:33:10 AM
Nice!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on November 05, 2017, 01:48:39 PM
Thank you!

I divided work between Ingrid the 1/1 VW and this smaller one yesterday. It's rather fun to jump back and forth, and it so happens I was working in the front trunk of the real one also....
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on November 06, 2017, 12:47:53 AM
Time now to work on the opposite end of the car. Remember that I used the wonderful Tamiya Kubelwagen engine for this car. The Revell engine compartment doesn't quite match up to the engine cooling tinwork so some Evergreen strips were used to modify the opening and plug the gaps. Really the Revell engine is over-scale in size so that explains the difference.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on November 06, 2017, 03:46:55 PM
Good!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on November 06, 2017, 06:33:23 PM
looking better and better every time, well done mate !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on November 13, 2017, 02:18:55 AM
Thanks, friends!

Again the airbrush was loaded with Panzer grey and the inside parts of the body and interior panels got their first coat. Right now I'm working on a way to paint the window seals on the interior. As you know if you've ever been in a Beetle, the rubber window seals are very visible on both the interior and exterior of the car. In addition, Revell saw fit to sandwich the glass between the body and the inner headliner panel so there is a pesky mold line on each glass that I have to work on......
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on November 13, 2017, 05:40:11 PM
still lot to do, but looks great, will be a nice one no doubt !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on November 14, 2017, 12:55:38 AM
Hopefully it will turn out as I planned!

Tonight I sprayed grey from a new bottle of paint and I am a little unhappy. I used the same brand (Testors) but it looks like the new supply is quite a bit darker than the several year old bottle I started with. Perhaps I'll have to respray everything that is already finished, but this is a good time to find the problem rather than later!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on November 18, 2017, 02:13:36 AM
Tonight was the final primer day for this one. Several small areas needed repriming and the left door was sanded and grey primer sprayed over the red oxide from twenty years ago. I've also mixed my paint to the correct shade and resprayed some parts to match the original paint. After all paint was dry I fitted the interior parts one last time and made some tiny corrections. Next step will be to spray the exterior of the body.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on November 18, 2017, 06:09:22 AM
This grey primer look's like military color (in this stage)
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on November 19, 2017, 12:09:03 PM
That is the grey primer I always have used, and it is a good duplicate for some military grey colors! It is marketed through NAPA auto part stores here in the U.S. The nice thing is that I can also use it on Ingrid when I start the body work on the 1/1 car.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on November 19, 2017, 06:55:34 PM
looks better and better every time, and no doubt ingrid will be a masterpiece
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on November 23, 2017, 02:32:03 AM
Believe it or not, I've also done some small works on Ingrid this week. I made steel plugs to weld into all the extra holes that were created by a prior owner to add chrome strips and also to fill where turn signal lights were bolted to all four fenders.

Back to this one, the glass was masked and the weatherstripping painted on each pane. Next I assembled the Notek front and rear blackout lights and horn. Finally on this installment I found two acceptable headlight housings for inside the fenders--two spare I-16 spinners from the Eduard kits I've built in the last few years!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on November 23, 2017, 06:12:14 AM
I-16 spinners... :)) excellent!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on November 23, 2017, 05:14:13 PM
Yes, I was really concerned about how to make the headlight "buckets" and immediately thought of the most squared-off spinners that Eduard has in their kits as an option. Thankfully I had two of them!! Just had to fill in the propeller blade slots and hole in center and had an instant bucket.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on November 27, 2017, 03:04:29 PM
excellent !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on December 03, 2017, 03:40:43 PM
I've had to "re-learn" basic modeling skills on this one.......I was all set up to spray the Panzergrau on the outside of all body parts when I thought about first cleaning my airbrush. It's been a while since I really used it, so I thought it was probably clean enough, especially since I was spraying flat paint. As you can guess, I failed! When spraying the front bonnet and both doors the brush began to spit so everything got shut down for an intense cleaning session. I did get the main shell painted before the problems started, so there was some progress........however, I'm now re-sanding the other parts and the airbrush will be sparkling clean when I go back to the paint booth.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on December 03, 2017, 03:42:51 PM
One of these days I guess ;))
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on December 03, 2017, 04:14:15 PM
Sure, someday!

I just seem to NEVER have enough time to devote to the model bench lately. I've all kinds of aircraft I'd like to start on (it's been a long time since I did a Bf 109, for example) and this poor VW needs completion. Even Ingrid has gotten very little attention other than finding parts. Problem is, I've been working seven days a week at my real job quite a lot. In a few weeks I'll have Christmas vacation so maybe then I can sit at the work bench and produce some relaxation!!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on December 04, 2017, 02:49:43 AM
I've corrected the paint on the doors and bonnet, then I found a place on the body shell that is bothering me so I'm repairing that also. I then wandered out to the shop and spent a little time stripping paint from Ingrid--the white respray was a quality paint and it's not fun to remove! So far it is worth it, though as the original grey is really smooth and shiny after stripping. Not bad for 61 year old paint!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on December 04, 2017, 04:52:41 AM
Archeology work :)) and grey color is interesting shade
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on December 04, 2017, 11:51:03 AM
It's called Jupiter Grey and was one of only two colors normally offered on a Standard. The Deluxe colors could be special ordered for extra money.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on December 07, 2017, 01:46:30 AM
Back on the military car, I've started building the "cow-catcher" bumper guards that were used on the KdF Wagen and military version. Quite simple to make, just styrene, a file, some sandpaper and patience. I'm trying to decide whether to make a resin mold for these or just fabricate three more. I think it is easier simply to make the three.......

Also the overall painting is now complete after re-doing a few areas I was not happy with. When this paint is fully cured I'll mask off the area around the windshield, side window and rear window seals and spray them in semi-gloss black.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on December 07, 2017, 06:10:44 AM
Cow catcher, never hear that :)
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on December 07, 2017, 06:56:11 AM
I heard of kangoroo bars but cow catcher never before, glad to red that information, thank you mate ! Nice progress you did on Ingrid and the model as well, keep up the good work !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on December 07, 2017, 12:09:38 PM
Yes, in my part of the U.S. we call them cow-catchers. Even the Australian truck bumpers sometimes get that name--I guess it's because we have a lot more cows than kangaroos!!!!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on December 08, 2017, 02:21:11 AM
I've decided just to make four bumper guards. It would take longer to make a mold and cast them than to simply whittle out styrene ones. Here's a photo of the process, just for fun. I had to laminate three pieces of styrene strip for the correct width, then just glue 'em together and start grinding....
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on December 08, 2017, 05:07:39 AM
 :-clap :-clap :-clap
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on December 08, 2017, 07:54:34 AM
Logical choose of name..... Nice progress mate
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on December 11, 2017, 12:38:42 AM
Today was masking day for all the window seals. This went easier than I thought it would--thank goodness for Tamiya tape!! Also, on the photo of the windshield frame, notice the tiny bump in the center of the roof just above the windshield--this was only seen on the very earliest Beetles and was the place where a cowl-mounted radio antenna upper mount was supposed to go. I duplicated this on the model with a drop of CA glue.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on December 13, 2017, 01:03:05 AM
This evening I decided to assemble the rear bumper. New brackets were fabricated from styrene strip and the bumper guards attached. This one now slips into place just like it should.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on December 14, 2017, 02:06:49 AM
I missed one detail on the rear bumper, the bracket that the engine crank was slid through. I couldn't sleep this morning so got up and fabricated the bracket. After work this evening I completed the front bumper and installed the windscreen and other glass. Revell was rather ingenious as they have you install the side and rear transparencies into the inner roof panel, then the inner panel is glued to the body.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on December 14, 2017, 11:42:02 AM
looks good,like the bumpers
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on December 14, 2017, 12:00:34 PM
From your build I will learn how to assembly and maintain real car :))
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on December 15, 2017, 12:08:25 AM
Actually the real car isn't much more complicated than the model!!! On a similar subject, I am a member of a VW enthusiast's forum and one of the fellows there has built a very nearly exact replica of a Kubelwagen based on a kit (name I don't remember right now) and Volkswagen sedan parts. He recently stated that he studied a real Kubel as part of his research, then went out and bought a Kubel kit (the big Tamiya one, I bet) so he would have reference handy!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on December 18, 2017, 02:27:51 AM
With a relaxing evening the VW saw some more important progress. The final installation of the front and rear inner body parts took place, so now it has a proper trunk and engine compartment. Also the bumpers received a coat of grey and here you have it:
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on December 19, 2017, 07:28:14 PM
good !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on December 20, 2017, 12:06:57 PM
Thank you!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on December 28, 2017, 02:36:18 AM
Finally I've fixed the body and floorpan together for the final time. Also a start has been made on adding the interior details such as rear seat and other items.

Having gotten the Beetle this far, I opened the box of the donor Kubelwagen to get out a couple of parts and decided to make a start on replacing what I'd robbed to build the Bug. Knowing what one of these kits costs today versus what I spent twenty years ago I've decided to use the Revell parts to complete the Kubel. In my former model car contest world the Kubel will be classified as a "curbside" model with no opening engine compartment. That's the only way I can use the rather inaccurate Revell engine. My plan is for the Kubel to represent the one my father drove in North Africa after Operation Torch.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on December 28, 2017, 06:34:50 AM
Idea- when we start build some airplane kit, to get sample of original plane too, it is obviously useful :))
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on December 28, 2017, 02:46:08 PM
I actually have a great problem here--I have two 1/16 Kubel kits. The one I just started on in the last post is the Afrika Korps version with sand tires and I also have a "standard" kit that is untouched. So, my plan is to build this Tropical version (which is what dad drove in Africa) as a display only, and eventually I'll finish the other kit with opening engine lid etc.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on December 28, 2017, 03:18:44 PM
Good idea, wish you to make it :))
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on December 28, 2017, 09:36:36 PM
I do have one problem with "dad's Kubel", he never saw fit to take a photo of it. He just mentioned they painted stars on it to make sure he didn't become a friendly fire casualty and that he also revived a second VW for his lieutenant. I'm collecting up pictures of various North African Kubels in U.S. custody and will simply have to build one of these, more in the spirit of what my dad had than his actual machine. He also mentioned that he was not able to take the car with him when 1st Armored moved across the Med to the Italian campaign so he and his lieutenant simply parked them and threw a grenade in each when they left Africa.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on December 29, 2017, 04:11:42 PM
The Tamiya Kubel kits are possibly the best-engineered models I've built yet, on a par with some of Eduard's best kits and the Zvezda Bf109s I've experienced. The body panels almost do not need glue! This morning I've set the major parts together to test fit them and they are nearly perfect! Then I built the front axle assembly, and it goes together just about exactly like the 1/1 version. Very impressive design on the kit and it was done many years ago.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on December 29, 2017, 05:08:07 PM
Trully good!!!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on December 31, 2017, 04:25:32 PM
Forget to ask- do you have cat to test it when complete?
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 01, 2018, 12:46:53 AM
Ha! That is a great photo!!!!! I don't have a cat of my own to test it with, but our neighbor cat "Lucky" could walk over for the job. Just yesterday I went into the shed and poor Lucky was scared out of his wits when I opened the door.....I think he was hunting and I just happened to come in at the wrong time.

Here is a little progress on the Kubel. First photo shows one of the few things Tamiya missed on this kit, a small bulkhead that I built from Evergreen sheet. The opening under it is made to fit a Jerrycan on the real car. The next ones are of test fitting and assembly of a few parts.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 01, 2018, 04:02:50 AM
My final modeling production of 2017 is some small-parts installation on the sedan. First the Notek light was added to the fender and the headlight assemblies with blackout covers were placed. Then the tire pump, jack and starting crank were added in the trunk. The last effort was to dig in the spares boxes for an appropriate first aid kit and the basic toolkit and a jerrycan were placed on the storage shelf next to the rear seat. Then a trial fitting of the fabric rollback top cover that was a feature of some of these KdF sedans.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on January 01, 2018, 06:42:37 AM
Good for last year!!!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 01, 2018, 02:36:52 PM
Perhaps more will be done today--I just started drinking my first cup of coffee of the new year and it is -17C outside!!!!!!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on January 02, 2018, 12:01:37 PM
excellent progress I really enjoy this
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 02, 2018, 01:55:41 PM
Thanks, mate! I confess I probably could have completed the Beetle in 2017 but the Kubel distracted me.

I'm rather frustrated actually--I was wanting to work on our real Beetle the last few days but it is far too cold in the shop. I could place a small electric heater in there but I'm using acetone to strip the old white paint off Ingrid and I would probably gas myself in the enclosed space.....! (Incidentally, it's also too cold to paint, but I did some small parts anyway.)
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 02, 2018, 09:21:58 PM
This morning with coffee I flipped the sedan over and added headlight and taillight wire conduits and the heater supply tubes and a few other small details. Once it warms up a little I need to add some dirt and mud residue to the inside of the fenders. I'm still not sure what to do with this when finished, if I should add a lot of dirt to the exterior or leave it more-or-less clean. My photo of this actual car shows it shortly after being built and it is still mostly clean. I think it was actually one of the first Typ 82E cars built for the Wehrmacht and was likely a Versuchs machine.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on January 02, 2018, 09:26:05 PM
Make it clean is also fine ;)
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 03, 2018, 02:42:41 AM
Jumping back and forth again--time to fit the top to the tropical Kubel. It's fortunate that I purchased two Kubel kits back in the day. The Afrika Korps version has only the folded down top assembly but the European version provides both up and down tops. On this Tunisian one I decided to put the closed top on. Dad mentioned that his Kubel was much nicer than a Jeep when it rained in Tunisia since the top fit better and there were proper side windows.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 06, 2018, 07:04:22 PM
Time for the real fun to start, final assembly! Still quite a lot to get done, but it is starting to look like a Volkswagen.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on January 06, 2018, 07:08:00 PM
Assembly look like in repair work shop, somehow look similar :))
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on January 06, 2018, 07:21:11 PM
in lack of better word, perfect !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 07, 2018, 02:59:35 PM
Thanks, mates! So much fun when all the small bits start coming together.

Final fitting of wheels and tires went quite smoothly. Then it was on to one of the tasks I have been concerned about, fitting the doors. Each door comes with hinges quite similar to a real Volkswagen that must be carefully filed smooth of flash from molding. Then each hinge must be aligned with the door and door frame so the door will open and close properly. Careful fitting has paid off on the right one, it went on nicely and works quite well!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on January 07, 2018, 03:21:45 PM
Beautiful :)) :-ok
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on January 07, 2018, 05:27:35 PM
this is getting better and better every time, well done my friend !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 07, 2018, 07:23:49 PM
Thank you, friends!! Back home from shopping, it's time to get coffee brewing and then to attack the other door.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 07, 2018, 10:50:26 PM
All doors today......first the left door was installed without drama on the Kafer. Then I started building up all four doors for the Tunisia Kubel. Tamiya did such a nice job on these inside and out. I found only one issue, and that is to spend some time fitting each door to the center hinge post. I'm planning on having at least three doors closed, perhaps all four, and the doors fit a little too tightly when closed. All it takes is a little trimming and filing around the hinge area and they fall into place.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on January 07, 2018, 11:01:50 PM
More cars then Germans had :))
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on January 08, 2018, 12:23:47 PM
both looks just fine, well done !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 10, 2018, 01:24:06 AM
After the doors on the Kafer were finally adjusted a few photos of closed and opened car. Still have some finishing touches before everything is finished, running boards and some other items.

Then it was time to move on to some scratchbuilding on the Kubel. A variety of holders for gas and water cans were fabricated for these cars. I picked two of them and used some Evergreen to fabricate a couple. The simpler one will be used on this build and the heavy-duty one will go into the other kit for later construction.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on January 10, 2018, 03:21:55 PM
excellent !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 16, 2018, 01:12:28 AM
The sedan is virtually finished, so more time to spend on the Kubel. All the primary parts are now in their desert tan color and assembly can start when the paint dries.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on January 16, 2018, 04:05:13 AM
Beautiful!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on January 16, 2018, 04:24:19 PM
excellent !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 21, 2018, 05:11:48 PM
Thank you, friends!

Very nice weather this morning so I thought to work on Ingrid for a little while. Here is the paint stripping procedure on the ashtray door. As you see, a prior owner repainted the car from Jupiter grey to white. Luckily for me he didn't sand the interior metal that was resprayed so I disassembled the ashtray and used a high-speed tool with a soft Scotchbrite pad to thin the white. Then I removed all the remaining white with acetone and a soft rag. This part takes a lot of time and patience but leaves the grey intact if you're careful. Then a bit of wax and reassembly, and a Jupiter grey ashtray appears!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on January 21, 2018, 05:26:08 PM
For protection, do you consider 2K epoxy primer?
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 21, 2018, 05:47:06 PM
The plan is to fully strip the interior of all white and then evaluate what can be saved and what must be painted. There is one area below the rear window that'll need to be painted for sure. Then preservation and clearcoating can be decided. Here are two photos of what is going on, just above and outboard of the right side of the rear window. First, thin the paint coat carefully with Scotchbrite disc, then remove white enamel with acetone and rags and then bring back the shine with rubbing compound/paint cleaner. Thankfully the painter didn't scuff the interior grey before he sprayed on his thick coat of white--the original grey has few flaws after polishing!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on January 22, 2018, 04:08:23 PM
Looks excellent, so good to see the original paint survived
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 23, 2018, 01:15:22 AM
Yes, I am really happy that it looks like we will be able to keep the interior in original paint. The plan is to save the original paint in the trunk, interior, inside the wheelwells and the engine compartment. The exterior will have to be repainted though.

Here is some 1/16th progress, still painting small parts and so forth. Soon I'll start weathering and adding some Tunisian mud.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on January 23, 2018, 05:05:41 AM
Nice to see such a restoration as well model build effort :) :-ok
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 25, 2018, 12:12:24 AM
Restoration of Ingrid is going even slower than my modeling..

Here are final photos of the KdF Wagen. Still I am going to add some amount of dust/dirt to the running gear, but it was a sunny afternoon so I took advantage of it for pictures.

This was truly a fun and relaxing build for me that takes me back over twenty years to when we lived in Texas and I first began this project. Much has changed since then, but the model building and satisfaction of completion is still just as fulfilling as it ever was. Back when I started this car I was building almost exclusively automotive subjects and we had a successful resin casting business. Now I'm back to my first subjects--warplanes--but it's still quite a lot of fun to build a car!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on January 25, 2018, 12:14:03 AM
 :-clap :-clap :-clap :-clap :-clap
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on January 26, 2018, 08:05:25 PM
amazing ! excellent work my friend ! excellent !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 27, 2018, 01:29:51 AM
Thanks, friends!

I've wanted to finish that car for a long time.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 28, 2018, 03:05:17 PM
Here are a couple of photos of an earlier VW build that I just photographed for my 1/1 scale VW web forum. I built this little Hasegawa 1/24 car in 1994, right after we moved to Texas. There is no interior or other detail, just painted inside of the windows black. If I recall, we used the term "Slammer" for these types of models at shows and expos. It was the proof-of-concept model for a friend of mine to build his real Beetle but I doubt if he ever finished the project. (Not really related to this thread, but not worth another new thread)
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 29, 2018, 02:35:28 AM
We had a very nice day today so I worked on Ingrid for a couple of hours, stripping the white paint again. I'm thinking about trying oven cleaner like we do on old kits--this is really taking a lot of hard work the way I'm doing it. Also I cleaned up another area on the outside of the car and the Jupiter grey really looks better than I thought it would.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on January 29, 2018, 06:54:13 AM
Hands in pain I guess :(
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 29, 2018, 11:54:34 AM
Yes, my wrist especially (I broke one wrist when I was 16). More problem is my neck!!! I've got to crank my neck back to get that back panel area stripped and it's a little bit like Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel. I'm purposely working on the very back of the interior first so I don't get burned out before doing the hard part! Really it is worth it when I keep finding that original 62 year old paint in good shape.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on January 29, 2018, 12:06:32 PM
We call this 'matiranje' (no idea of English term), to carefully remove top coat up to bottom paint, I did many cars as young in workshop of my brother
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on January 29, 2018, 04:48:14 PM
hard work indeed, I took my time as car painter in one work shop in my home town year ago.....
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 30, 2018, 12:59:28 AM
Yes, in the old days I would have just sanded this white off and resprayed the grey. Everyone in the vintage VW world is more interested in saving the original paint now, and I must agree with them. "It's only original once" someone said, and I am really happy with the original paint that is showing up now, even if it is a lot of work. It's interesting that you've both worked on auto paint--I learned how to do this from the body shop owner in my home town and he even taught me the basics of lead filler.

Here is a little progress on "dad's Kubel". He told me that when he got his VW they painted out some German markings and brush painted stars on it to help from getting shot at by U.S. troops. I recall that he mentioned his Kubel had a cat painted on the engine lid and that he liked it so it stayed. So......here is my best estimate of the markings his car might have carried.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on January 30, 2018, 06:12:44 AM
You did not find out info of cat?
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on January 30, 2018, 05:06:20 PM
so good !!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on January 31, 2018, 02:46:28 AM
You did not find out info of cat?

Yes, I forgot to mention that. If my father was right about the cat insignia, the Kubel had been part of sPzAbt.501, one of the Tiger I units in Tunisia. Also the Tiger that dad's crew got running was from the same unit, so it makes sense that he "found" the Kubel in the same general area.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on February 03, 2018, 04:01:47 PM
Shocking to say, but I'm weathering the Kubel!!! I'm experimenting and learning the proper use of pastels, Daniel--and you are my mentor on this as I've been looking at some of your work for support.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on February 03, 2018, 04:10:16 PM
This will be nice to see :))
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on February 05, 2018, 01:50:59 AM
See, I'm learning how......!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on February 05, 2018, 05:04:20 AM
You have excellent mentor :))
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on February 05, 2018, 11:58:23 AM
looks fantastic !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on February 09, 2018, 11:04:13 PM
Just to let you both know, this car has been done for a few days but I simply haven't gotten proper pictures of it. Here are a couple to get started:
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on February 10, 2018, 07:38:28 AM
Far different then other of your work ;) :))
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on February 10, 2018, 02:31:43 PM
It is good practice for the Tiger I to come!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on February 10, 2018, 07:37:56 PM
looks great !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on February 10, 2018, 08:01:24 PM
First time I've used true pastels for dust and dirt......and I also have learned how to make mud!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on February 11, 2018, 06:07:30 PM
Here's the recipe I found on the web for mud.

First, white glue into the mixing bowl. Then simply go outside and get some fine dirt--I used some right in our flower bed. Mix the two together and add a little water if it is too thick and then just dab it on the model where mud should collect. It was very easy to learn this for me!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on February 11, 2018, 07:07:35 PM
In early '90 I used mix of paint and flour, work also perfect
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on February 11, 2018, 09:33:28 PM
Yep, I have some wheat flour in a baggie with my "Dad's Tiger" project. That was going to be my mud mix but I am lucky to have some very fine dirt just outside the house, provided to us by the gophers who dig in our yard and flower garden!

Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on February 12, 2018, 07:46:33 PM
Yes, you can use real dirt with no problems with white glue...... even for mud, but then it needs gloss finish
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on February 13, 2018, 01:05:41 AM
On this application I wanted the mud to look dry, like it has been on there a while. To make it less glossy I used a little pastel mix to dull it.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on February 13, 2018, 11:03:20 PM
Here are a few photos of the finished Kubel.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on February 15, 2018, 09:47:18 AM
superb mate, like it a lot !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on February 16, 2018, 02:04:48 AM
Thank you!

On the full-sized VW, tonight I finished stripping the white from the right door and removed a couple of spots on the dashboard. So far, so good--the grey looks like it will be nice when fully stripped!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on February 17, 2018, 09:07:22 AM
 :-clap :-clap :-clap
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on February 17, 2018, 12:05:52 PM
Thanks for the encouragement. I've finally discovered the best way to strip this paint--I scuff the white down with a Scotchbrite pad on my air-sander to thin the paint, then apply "graffiti remover" aerosol, then scrape off white with a plastic scraper, then use acetone to get off the final white bits and finally polish the grey. The graffiti remover is really acetone suspended in some kind of jell that can be sprayed from a can. It sticks to the paint long enough to loosen it but so far hasn't done any damage to the 63 year old VW paint!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on February 18, 2018, 12:50:29 PM
you're doing great ! lot to be done but the progress is excellent !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on February 18, 2018, 11:48:48 PM
Yes, now that I have found the right materials and steps to follow the progress should move faster!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on April 13, 2018, 02:25:18 PM
Yesterday I spent 9 hours stripping the thick white enamel from Ingrid's instrument panel. Lots of work, but it was worth it!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on April 13, 2018, 02:46:42 PM
This is extra hard work as I see!!! Sand blasting do job perfect but it is not point in that method, point is in recovery ;)
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on April 13, 2018, 02:49:03 PM
Yes, you're right! Originally I was going to remove all paint and refinish, but then I saw how nice the original paint was underneath! This is a lot of labor, but the interior will have all original paint it looks like!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on April 13, 2018, 03:38:23 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on April 13, 2018, 05:42:51 PM
Insane amount of work but well worth it ! So good to see the original paint, well done my friend !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on April 14, 2018, 02:41:22 PM
Thank you friends! "Insane" is just about the right word!!!!

Here is the right side of the interior almost finished. Next up will be the left and then a very careful "audit" of all areas to make sure no white remains. Then I will use the airbrush to touch up a couple of bare spots (really small places where I rubbed too hard) and then polishing for final shine.

I must comment that the factory paint job is absolutely impeccable once the white is removed, really just as smooth as any factory paint I've ever dealt with. Some VW experts claim that the 1955 to 1957 era Beetles had probably the best quality of any of them, and the paint on Ingrid seems to bear witness to that!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on April 15, 2018, 10:37:55 AM
Love that car...
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on April 18, 2018, 12:06:36 AM
superb !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on June 13, 2018, 11:55:15 PM
Here's the reason I have not been contributing to LLL much lately--more work on Ingrid! I finally finished stripping the interior back to the original, here are a couple of photos of the left rear and rear window area. The interior is now completely done. Then I started on the outside. The paint here is not as nice as the inside, but I will use the original grey as the basis for my repainting efforts.

Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on June 14, 2018, 05:39:34 AM
What a huge work :-eek what is a purpose of wires under roof?
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on June 14, 2018, 12:42:43 PM
Those wires hold up the headlining material. The headliner is sewn with little pockets in it and the wires slip through to hold the fabric up by spring action. I think there are five wires, maybe six.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on June 14, 2018, 12:51:58 PM
Thanks :)
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on June 14, 2018, 03:15:01 PM
still lot to do but well worth it ! excellent job mate !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on June 15, 2018, 03:29:30 PM
Yes, lots more to do, but it is satisfying to see the original grey surface!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on July 07, 2018, 05:50:21 PM
Here's one last photo of Ingrid's dashboard, with the final piece in place. There is a rather large hole just between the speaker grille and ashtray (probably a cigarette lighter was added by a previous owner) and I wanted to find something to fill the hole. I was fortunate to find a St. Christophorus/Gute Fahrt medallion from another VW enthusiast in Hungary, and it covers the hole perfectly!!!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on July 07, 2018, 06:09:47 PM
Fresh and new!!!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on July 07, 2018, 08:06:13 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on July 13, 2018, 11:51:37 AM
looks excellent mate !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on July 15, 2018, 05:11:00 PM
On to filling all the extra holes in Ingrid's exterior. At some point in the past, a prior owner decided to buy the chrome trim to add some sparkle to this otherwise very plain car. VW offered a kit with all chrome and clips for Standard owners to "fancy-up" their cars. Also, the semaphore turn signals had to be replaced with lights on all four fenders so holes were drilled and lights installed. The last couple of mornings I've begun welding shut these holes, using some sheetmetal we kept from another Beetle that I scrapped years ago. In all, there are 46 holes to fill and I'm about half way done.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on July 15, 2018, 05:21:50 PM
You are restoring magician my friend  :-clap
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on July 22, 2018, 10:54:59 AM
this will be a masterpiece my friend
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on August 01, 2018, 05:19:43 PM
Great work!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on May 31, 2020, 04:42:33 PM
Working on both VWs, 1/1 and 1/24..... I've removed most of the extra paint and primer layers from the sides and will start working on the harder areas next.
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: No.1 on May 31, 2020, 05:07:57 PM
Mmmmm... workshop is nice, I would not get out of here for a whole day :))
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on May 31, 2020, 09:33:49 PM
Yep, it is so good to have room to walk around the car. In the old shed I could only work on one side at a time and had to move the car over to work on the opposite side!
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: modellius on January 03, 2021, 01:59:13 AM
Don't know why but only now I saw your post.... You are making a very nice progress mate !
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: draken35 on February 16, 2021, 07:01:46 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Something New (and Old) VW Sedan
Post by: Second Air Force on February 16, 2021, 11:48:12 PM
I must say I'd forgotten about this thread in some ways.... I have made little progress on the full-size car since those two photos were taken, and right now it is VERY cold here in the middle of the U.S. so I am not about to venture into the shop. This spring I'll get going again on Ingrid, but for now I'm keeping the water pipes from freezing in the house!